Published: May 07, 2008 07:54 am            

It’s time to praise the Citizens’ Police Academy

Readers Views

Dear Editor:

Enough already of the on-going dialog of cigarettes, junk food, fat people and finger pointing! I have to say I’m at the limit of my tolerable resistance with the plethora of articles I’ve seen in our local newspaper lately. Leave the preaching at the pulpit and let’s all agree to disagree. That’s democracy.

Let’s also agree to quit abusing our editorial page to air our grievances and try to sway the public at large to our viewpoint. If you want your voice to be heard, go talk to the people who are making the decisions about the issues. That’s your forum!

I’d like to switch the focus of the editorial page just this one time to something positive that’s happening in our community which deserves a great deal of praise and attention. It’s a program called “Citizens’ Police Academy.” My husband and I are currently attending this program, having attended five of the 10-course sessions. We are highly impressed not only with the weekly topics, but also the caliber of the instructing officers. Major Doug Nelson and his staff are doing a tremendous job providing us with a comprehensive look at the operations, training and philosophies of our local police department.

Being an officer of the law is an extremely demanding profession. It’s a job unlike any other job that few people are qualified to perform. It requires proficiency in a variety of disciplines, both physical and mental. Police officers must be ready to perform in a multitude of situations every day, and do it not knowing what danger they may be facing at any given time. They put their lives on the line every day to make Somerset a safe community in which to live and work.

Most of the officers doing presentations in this worthwhile program are college graduates. Every officer continues to train and cross-train, making the department very well prepared to deal with crisis situations. Having reviewed their budget, money is certainly not their motivator. Our police officers are in this profession because they believe in the community, in the law and in each other. They are passionate about their jobs and the vision they have for the city of Somerset.

Besides Major Doug Nelson, a competent and inspiring leader, I’d like to personally thank our speakers, including John Swiderski, Detective Mike Grigsby, and officers Chris Gates, David Nelson, Larry Patterson, Mike Correll, Matthew Gates and Captain Phillippi.

I’d also like to acknowledge the officers from the Criminal Investigation Division and the new recruits who worked with us the last two sessions. Each of your presentations has been well planned, professionally presented and enlightening. Taking the time to organize this program for the citizens of the community speaks well of all of you, and I thank you for the opportunity of attending these educational sessions.

I’d also like to thank the council members and all others involved who have made this program available to us. You should be commended for your foresight and be proud of the Somerset Police Department and how it operates.

I’ve worked for Fortune 500 companies that had less vision and direction than Major Nelson and his fine individuals in uniform. They are dedicated, very well educated and focused on the welfare of the community.

Be thankful, Somerset, that you are blessed with these dedicated, accomplished and driven individuals.

What a great place to call home!



Cherie Emmons

White Tail Run Drive

Somerset, KY

        

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